Week 3 Staff Predictions: Dallas Cowboys host Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears visit AT&T Stadium to face the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football in Week 3. Cowboys Blitz writers share their predictions on this particular matchup that cannot be overlooked.

The Bears have a long list of wounded, but they’re also 2-0 at AT&T Stadium. On the other hand, the Cowboys have just been a middle-of-the-pack group through two games this season. With a rookie quarterback and a no-name defense, the Cowboys should be content with a 1-1 record entering Week 3.

Jonah: With the Chicago Bears riddled with injuries, this looks like an easy win for the Cowboys on paper. However, I have a strange feeling this is a trap game for Dallas. Brian Hoyer is not that much of a downgrade from Jay Cutler in my opinion, and they have some playmakers on the outside in Alshon Jeffery and Kevin White. In addition, Vic Fangio is doing a good job with the lack of resources and talent he has on defense. With the Bears likely to stack the box, the game will likely ride on the arm of Dak Prescott. The matchup looks overwhelmingly favorable, but if the Cowboys fail to connect in the red zone and finish with field goals instead of touchdowns, this could end in a shocker. I expect a low-scoring game that will see Dallas dominate the time of possession, but Chicago will hang around until the last couple of minutes. Cowboys 20, Bears 10

Cami: This is one of those games where the Cowboys should dominate on both sides of the ball, and that’s what scares me. If Dallas wants to make a statement, now is the time to do it. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Bears try to stack the box and do everything they can to limit Ezekiel Elliott, but that’s just picking their poison due to the plethora of weapons on the Cowboys offense. Dak Prescott will see his most favorable matchup yet, throwing for two touchdowns. On the other side of the ball, the Cowboys secondary has recorded an interception in each of the first two games, that streak should continue against backup quarterback Brian Hoyer this week. Mix that with Chicago currently tallying the second-fewest yards in the league headed into Week 3, and it should be a big game for defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli and Co. Cowboys 32, Bears 13

Bobby: The Bears are hurting bad right now; their injury report looks like a roster list. Even if the Bears weren’t banged up, they just aren’t very good this year. Chicago has only mustered 21 points on offense through two games, and they rank in the bottom third of the league in rushing and passing. The Bears’ lack of offensive production is a God-send for the Cowboys who have struggled mightily on defense, particularly against the pass. I would look for a heavy dose of Ezekiel Elliott, if he can hang onto the ball, and think this game could be remembered as his coming out party. Cowboys 24, Bears 9

Laurie: The Chicago Bears are walking wounded and appear one of the most favorable matchups you could hope for this early in the season. It’s on the Cowboys defense to get off blocks, close down running lines with their oversized defensive line and get physical with a hampered but dangerous Alshon Jeffrey right off the snap. Both Dallas offensive tackles are less than 100% but if they’re able to provide a clean enough pocket for Dak Prescott and yards before contact for Ezekiel Elliott, the path is there for a confidence-building win. This isn’t the bold predictions column but here comes the Brice Butler breakout play as the Cowboys notch a first home win of the season. Cowboys 30, Chicago 17